Crabs winter food

[sandbur]

I suspect that the weather we are having is stratifying the seeds on apples still on trees in northern areas.

Perhaps some should gather seeds and do the wet paper towel test.

Nearly everyone can find seeds from flowering crabs. In parks, businesses, wild trees, and at home.

Don’t forget rootsuckers as well for some free trees.

I have done both, but with age, it is time to quit.

 

[Teeder]

I haven't seen a grouse anywhere near my area for years. That said, the riparean planting I'm having done on my hunting property is going to be done with grouse in mind.
Now I'll have to add some bird crabs to my list!

 

[bigboreblr]

At camp they're all over the birch when there fall catkins. Driving to work, they're in the road getting small rocks for their crops. I'd get a small load of stone, or keep an area dirt exposed.

IF you're with a dog and he's frustrated not finding the bird to his scent, look up. They're often nesting in large conifer trees. Bird hunting is in 3d. Look up. Just don't like ducks in a pond. Too easy. Give them a warning shot, they'll move.

 

[sandbur]

At camp they're all over the birch when there fall catkins. Driving to work, they're in the road getting small rocks for their crops. I'd get a small load of stone, or keep an area dirt exposed.

IF you're with a dog and he's frustrated not finding the bird to his scent, look up. They're often nesting in large conifer trees. Bird hunting is in 3d. Look up. Just don't like ducks in a pond. Too easy. Give them a warning shot, they'll move.

I had two different male grouse on my home place for about 5-6 years but heard none last year. I am thinking bottom of the cycle, low snow winters, and perhaps the increase in fishers.

My wife jokes that it is just my poor hearing.

 

[KY wild]

As I am looking at the trees I have in the ground and shopping for new trees to buy for birds a thought of something from an earlier post. Native Hunter posted a pic of his Golden Hornet crab in the spring with previous years apples and this year blooms on the tree at the same time. This tells me crabapples went all the way through winter and was not consumed, so were they too large for birds? Did they taste bad and no species wanted them? Just trying to avoid such trees, want my fruit used by something

 

[sandbur]

As I am looking at the trees I have in the ground and shopping for new trees to buy for birds a thought of something from an earlier post. Native Hunter posted a pic of his Golden Hornet crab in the spring with previous years apples and this year blooms on the tree at the same time. This tells me crabapples went all the way through winter and was not consumed, so were they too large for birds? Did they taste bad and no species wanted them? Just trying to avoid such trees, want my fruit used by something

Most years, I have lots of fruit left on my GH. My buddy took his down since it had little use. My GH is near the house and I have gone out and raked the limbs with a pole. The deer then clean up the apples on the ground.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I suspect that the weather we are having is stratifying the seeds on apples still on trees in northern areas.

Perhaps some should gather seeds and do the wet paper towel test.

Nearly everyone can find seeds from flowering crabs. In parks, businesses, wild trees, and at home.

Don’t forget rootsuckers as well for some free trees.

I have done both, but with age, it is time to quit.

You're just nicely-seasoned, Bur! Your advice on collecting seeds is spot-on.